We are Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado helps motivated high school students rise above under-resourced backgrounds. Our goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally, and academically prepared for post-secondary education and productive life, breaking barriers so they can become community-minded leaders.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado firmly believes that young people have the power to overcome adversity, realize their potential, and help transform our world. They create these successes when we remove obstacles, support and believe in them, and provide environments and opportunities that build on their strengths.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado is a proud member of the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network. Our Network Headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, connects, provides leadership to, and offers signature college-preparatory programming to affiliates across the nation, Mexico, and Guatemala. Each affiliate is independently incorporated, governed by its own board of directors, and responsible for its own fundraising. Affiliation and services agreements link the Network to ensure mission and brand fidelity, quality operations, maximum functional capacity, and consistency in training, programmatic standards, and best practices.

OUR MISSION & DNA

MISSION

To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.

DNA

Boys Hope Girls Hope utilizes the following
approach to achieve our mission.

We are:

Academically Focused
Service Oriented
Family-like
Long-Term and Comprehensive
Faith-Inspired
Voluntary in Nature

LOCAL IMPACT

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado currently serves 120+ scholars in high school and college.

We have great numbers to represent our success and we often hit 100%. But that’s not where the story ends. There isn’t a number that is large enough to represent the character, ambition, courage and integrity of our young men and women.

See how Boys Hope Girls Hope is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

HISTORY

Boys Hope Girls Hope was founded in 1977 in St. Louis, Missouri by Rev. Paul Sheridan, SJ.  Since that time, the program has been replicated across the US and in Latin America. Below are key highlights from our affiliate’s history.

1993

Boys Hope Girls Hope Colorado was established with the Boys Hope Residential Home.

2010

Just 2 blocks away from the Boy’s Home, the Girls Hope opened its door to serve 5  girls in need.

2013

The non-residential  Academy Program was launched  at Aurora Central High School for freshman and sophmore classes.

2016

9 scholars from the first Boy’s Hope Girl’s Hope Colorado Academy class graduated from Aurora Central High School. 

2017

Alexis and Aaliyah, the first Girls Hope scholars graduated from college! Alexis graduated from Fort Lewis College and Aaliyah graduated from the University of North Texas.

2018

To serve more children-in-need, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado focuses exclusively on our Academy and Collegian Programs.

2020

COVID-19 impacts the world and Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado keeps graduating scholars and collegians.

2023

Eighteen scholars graduate and enroll in college.  The Board of Directors decides to serve more scholars and collegians, developing a plan to double the number of scholars and collegians over the next ten years.

LEADERSHIP

Our Board of Directors and staff collaborate to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship and transparency. This team of professionals is committed to continuous learning, effective programming and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.

Mary Frances Tharp

Mary Frances Tharp

Executive Director

Marilyn Pelech

Marilyn Pelech

Program Director

Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan

Business Manager

Karen Acosta-Corona

Karen Acosta-Corona

Academy Program Manager - Aurora Central High School

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer

Academy Program Manager - Aurora Central High School

Amy Strickland

Amy Strickland

Academy Program Manager - Regis Jesuit High School

Angie Hager

Angie Hager

Events and Communications Manager

Lynn DiLorenzo

Lynn DiLorenzo

Post-Secondary Program Manager

Kaity Gray

Kaity Gray

Volunteer Coordinator

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jake Zambrano

Jake Zambrano

Chair

76 Group

Frank Jedlicka Community Volunteer

Vice Chair

Community Volunteer

Polly Lestikow

Past Board Chair

Closet Factory

Jim Brendel

Treasurer

Moss Adams, ret.

Mary Frances Tharp

Secretary

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado

Mary Beth Baer

Community Volunteer

Bob Bowman

Catalyst Law Group

David Card

Regis Jesuit High School

Sean Casper

Civitas Resources

Michelle Galuszka

Escuela de Guadalupe School

Kenneth Goebel

West Monroe Partners

Tara Hamilton

Dell Technologies

Laurel Hammer

KPMG

John Newland

Hercules Industries

J.J. Pierce

Palo Alto Networks

Carmen Quintanilla

Regis Jesuit High School

Daniel Reyes

Worldwide Technology

Mary Spriester

IMEC, LLC

Kenneth Stable

University of Denver Law School Student

Jason Stover

SSA Associates

Jasmin Tapia

Citywide Banks

Aline Thongvanh

Charles Schwab

EMERITUS BOARD

Scot Anderson

Susan Bailey

Janet Cooper

Jack Corrigan

Scott Cromie

Rob Crosby

Dr. Robert Fante

Mark Kiniry

Chuck Latham

Mary Ann Littler

Dr. Charles Mateskon

Conor McCallin

Patrick McCarthy

Don McFall

Deborah S. O’Dwyer

Ann Rice

John & Angela Schmidt

Bob Strauss

Jo Swanson, Ph.D.

Kent Swanson

Stephen Tierney

Adam Truitt

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD

Liz Abell, Chair

Lucas Bisbee, Vice Chair

Margeaux Anderson, Treasurer

Tenaya Harrison-Morelock, Secretary

Dani O’Connor, Secretary

Emily Stork, Volunteer Chair

Kevin Kiyosaki, Membership Chair

Jorge Palacios, Membership Chair

Virginia Brightwell, Marketing & PR Chair